Starting and stopping mechanism for phonographs.



PATBNTED SEPT. 8, 1903..

1 E. GILBERT. STARTING AND STOPPING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS. APPLICATION rnnn nno. 1a, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES iatented September 8, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELAM GILBERT, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 738,317, dated September 8, 1903.

Application filed December 18,1902. Serial No. 135,692. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELAM GILBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, county of Multnomah, State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starting and Stopping Mechanism for Phonographs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The present invention comprises means whereby the operating mechanism of a phonograph is automatically thrown in and out of operation by the closing and opening of the gate.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a broken front view of an ordinary phonograph with the improved mechanism connected thereto, the same being illustrated with the gate released. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the gate closed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism illustrated by Fig. 2 of the drawings, and Fig. 4 is an end view in elevation viewed'from the recordreceiving end of the machine.

The numeral 1 is used to indicate the bedplate of an ordinary phonograph, and 2 the record-cylinder frame. Through the bedplate 1 extends the starting-lever 3, which controls the operating mechanism. (Not shown.) This'lever 3 is connected to the bed 1 by the pressure-spring 4, the tension of which normally holds the lever 3 to lock the operating mechanism. To this lever is attached one end of the connecting-rod 5, the opposite end of which is attached to an arm 6, fulcrumed to the outer portion of framearm 7, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. To the opposite frame-arm 8 is hinged the gate 9,

. which carries a bearing-pin 10 for the outer end of the record-cylinder 11., This pin 10 as the gate is closed fits within a center seat in the outer end of the record-cylinder 11 for the record 12 and forms an outer bearing therefor.

In the under face of the gate 9, near its outer end, is formed a transverse seat 13, which receives the lock-clu tab 14 when thrown upward. This lock-clutch is hinged to the frame-arm 7, and the same is provided with an enlarged head 15, which bears upon the gate when closed and the lock-clutch 14 is thrown upward.

Presuming the gate 9 to be open, Fig.1 of the drawings, and it is desired to start the phonograph, the operator swings the gate inward, so as to place the bearing-pin 10 into center seat of the record-cylinder 11. As the gate is thus closed the outer end thereof bears against the fulcrumed arm 6 and forces same inward, thereby causing the connecting-rod 5 to move therewith,so as to throw the starting-lever 3 to release the operating mechanism, Fig. 2 of the drawings. To hold the gate 9 in this position, the lock-clutch 14 is thrown upward until it assumes a position approximately at right angles to the outer face of the gate, Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, when the head 15 of the lock-clutch will hold the gate against outward movement. To release the gate 9 for the purpose of stopping the operating mechanism of the phonograph, the operator simply throws the lock-clutch downward or out of engagement with the gate. Being thus released the pressure of the spring 4 draws the starting lever 3 outward, Fig. 1 of the drawings, to stop the operating mechanism of the phonograph, as usual in this class of machinery, at the same time throwing the connecting-rod 5 outward with sufficient force to cause the fulcrumed arm 6 to swing the gate 9 clear. I It is required that the gate be swung open or outward its full distance, so that the record 12 when removed from off record-cylinder 11 will not be mutilated by coming in contact with center bearing-pin 10, projecting from the gate 9. To insurefull outward swing of the gate when thus released, a return-spring 16 is provided, which spring is attached to the gate 9 and frame-arm 8, Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The operating means for the phonograph has not been illustrated, inasmuch as the connection of the starting-lever 3 therewith is the same as at present in use. This connection is such that the said mechanism is thrown into operation and out of operation by moving the starting-lever inward and outward.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a phonograph, the combination with the starting-lever, of the hinged gate, and

connections for actuating the operating mechanism with the closing and opening of the gate.

2.- In a phonograph, the combination with the hinged gate,of coacting mechanism whereby the operating mechanism of the phono graph is thrown into and out of action with v the closing and opening of the gate.

3. In a phonograph, the combination with the starting-lever, of the gate, a fulcrumed arm actuated with the closing of the gate, connection between the said fulcrumed arm and the starting-lever, a clutch-look for holding the gate in locked position, and a spring connection whereby the starting-lever is ac- Intwitness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ELAM GILBERT. Witnesses:

N. A. ACKER, D. B'. RICHARDS. 

